Flutter predicting apparatus



Sept. 7, 1948. l M. BIOT ET AL 2,448,698

FLUTTER PREDIGTNG APPARATUS Filed oct. 21, 1944 2 sheets-sheet 1 FIGJ Sept. 7, 1948. M. A. BIOT ET A1.

FLUTTR PREDICTING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 7, 1948 UNITED sr.fifties Parent oFFicE FLUTT'ER PREDICTING APPARATUS MauriceA. Biot, Pasadena, andThomas Wiancko, Altadena, Calif;

Application October 21, 1944, Serial No. 559,822.

7 Claims.

This inventionrrelates `to electricalanalogiesior mechanicalrs'ystems and more particularly to electric networks `whose behavioris equivalent to that cria mechanical -system .moving with .respect .to

a surroundingiiuidgthe yprincipal object. beingv chinefiorl "tli'e'solution of V`the equations govern-A ingS-the physicalfbehavior of system A.

Underfcertain.conditions, spontaneous deformativefoscillations may arise-in a mechanical systemfwhichmovesiwith respect to a surrounding fluid.:Y .Tofsuchiatclass Ybelongs the phenomenon usualiyvdesignated asV iiutter which frequently occurs'fin'-aircraftrwings and tail surfaces.- The phenomenonfof iiutter maybe defined as arf-aeromechanicaliinstability due to the-interaction 'betweenaaerodynamim and mechanical "forces `and moments. such? that "any disturbance Vof thefairfoiliataazxgiven. air-speed will' cause` mechanical vibrationsaofthe airfoil whose amplitudes 4will increasewithitime. The mechanicalfr'equency of` these roscillations `is vknown yas the flutter frequency, It is very'costl-y and diiicult to study this phenomenon by direct observation and eX- periment, while on the other hand the mathematical equations which govern this phenomenon are difficult `totfuse practically for the .rapid .prediction of the occurrence of flutter under/various conditions.` `A. systemexhibitingthisphenomenon :of iiutteris v:an examplelofsystem A. `Inthis invention anequivalent electric .network is made to playthei role'of system` B. In the mathematicaly analysis of the problem of flutter it is convenient to use the so-called reduced frequency of the oscillations which is equal .to theproduct of the iiutter frequency and the average semi-chord divided by the airspeed.

`Itisxftherefore anwobject of this'invention to provide an.equivalent electric network, as defined above, which shall serveas a calculating machine for the rapid-prediction of flutter phenomenon.

The analogyV isnot straightforward, however, because in most cases vthe enact-mathematical 2. equationswhi'ch govern the phenomenon of fiutter contain complex coeilicients which are transcendental functions of A'the flutter frequency and cannot be represented exactly in the electric network by a combination oi a iinite number of electrical elements.

A further object is .therefore vto providerin an..

equivalent electric network, nite impedance networks which are'. :approximately equivalent;

mathematically, to certain transcendental `functions which appear in the coeicients of@v the. mathematical equations of l-motion of certain' fluid-mechanical systems.'

Furthermore the particular form in whichthe equations are 4usually. .derived is` not the .most convenient for the establishment of a workable-.electric model because of thepractical desirability'.

of keeping fixed certain electrical elementsfsuch as inductance coils.- Also the magnitude'otthe various velectrical elements and the'frequency of the electrical oscillations must be kept between practical limits.

Hence a further object of this invention is to provide an equivalent electric network which shall make possible the rapid prediction of the critical flutter velocity of a given fluid-mechanical system, and whose circuit elementsshall. be capable..V

of adjustment in a simple-way tovcorrespond to the fluid velocity of the mechanical system. V

A further object of this invention is to provide the means for the prediction of the rate of -transfer of energy, as a function of velocity, fromtthe iiuid tothe mechanical parts, or vice-versa,` in 'a fluid-mechanical system;capable` of spontaneous oscillations or deformation.

A still further object is to provide 'the means, in A.an equivalent. electric networkeiorvthe determination of the response of Aa given fluid-mechanical system to a given perturbation.

Further objects and :advantages ofi-.this inven-l tion will become apparent as the following` de-wscription proceeds, taken in conjunction with: the t accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic viewlofanairfoil sec- Fig? 3 is `aA schematic wiring diagram illustraty ingyin"de`tail.`a possible electric network corre- Since the velocityv parameter generally appears as vanunknown it isdesirable that it appear in as few parameters as possible.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing how the principles of the device disclosed herein may be eX- tended to any desired number of degrees of freedom.

Before describing these drawings, the equations of motion of a particular fluid-mechanical system are set forth, so that the significance of the various parts of the invention may be more readily pointed out.

For an example of the application of the invention to flutter problems, we will take the case of iiexure-torsion binary wing flutter. The equations for this type of flutter may be stated in the following form:

The symbols have the following significance:

X1=vertical displacement of the elastic axis of the wing.

X2=angular displacement of the chord line times the chord length.

c=chord length, feet.

e=distance of elastic axis back of y1 chord point in fraction of chord.

p=ratio of mass of wing to mass of enclosing air cylinder.

rp=clistance of C. G. vposition back of elastic axis,

in fraction of chord.

iF=radius of gyration of Wing mass about C. G.

position, in fraction of chord.

w=natural frequency in vacuum of angular oscillation of the wing about the elastic axis, in radians per second.

wh=natural frequency in vacuum of vertical displacement of the wing in radians per second.

v=true airspeed, feet per second.

A1, A2, k1, k2, and o0 are arbitrary parameters. p=diii`erential time operator=t for innite aspect ratio Wings.

The Bessel functions Jo, Y0, J1, and Y1 are given in tables in McLachlans Bessel Functions for Engineers.

Figure 2 is a simplied block diagram of an electric network which may be made so that the electric currents X1 and X2 satisfy the above equations. In the diagram, filament and anode supply voltages and grid coupling condensers have '4 been omitted. The X1 circuit consists of a series combination of a resistor I, self-inductor 2, re sistor 3, capacitor 4, and the parallel combination of a load resistor 5 and the anode-cathode circuits of Vacuum tubes 6 and 1.

The X2 circuit consists of a series combination of a resistor 8, a self-inductor 9, a resistor I0, a capacitor II, and the parallel combination of a load resistor I2 and the anode-cathode circuits of vacuum tubes I3 and I4.

The resistor I serves also as the input impedance of an inductive transfer impedance network I5, whose output potential is impressed on the control grid I6 of the vacuum tube I4, and as the input impedance of a resistive transfer impedance network I1. The resistor 8 serves also as the input impedance of an inductive transfer impedance network I8, whose output potential is impressed on the control grid I9 of the vacuum tube 1, and as the input impedance of the capacitive and resistive transfer impedance networks 20v and 2|, parts of whose output potentials are added together with the output potential of the transfer impedance I1 and impressed on the control grid 22 of a vacuum tube 23 whose anodecathode resistance is high compared with the im pedance of its load, consisting of a resistor 24 and an impedance 25 whose values are proportional, respectively, to 1/2 and the complex quantity P1. The potential drop .across the impedance proportional to Pl is added to parts of the output potentials of the transfer impedances 2B and 2l and impressed on the control grid 26 of the vacuum i tube E. The potential drop across the total impedance proportional to P is impressed on the control grid 21 of the vacuum tube I3.

Suppose now that the properties of the network are assigned the following symbols: the total resistance in the X1 circuit, made up of the resistors I, 3, 5, and the anode-cathode resistance of the vacuum tubes 6 and 1, is equal to R11, the selfinductance 2 equal to L11, and the capacity 4 equal t0 C11. The total resistance in the X2 circuit, made up of 8, I0, I2 and the anode-cathode resistance of the tubes I3 and I4, is R22, the selfinductance 9 is L22, and the capacity II is C22. Let the potential across the resistor I2 in the X2 circuit due tothe tube I4, the inductive transfer impedance network I5, and the current X1 be L21pX1. Let the potential across the resistor 5 in the X1 circuit due to the tube 1, the inductive transfer impedance I8, and the current X2 be LizpXz. Let the potential across the resistor 5 due to the tube 6, the capacitive transfer impedance 20, and the current X2 be and that due to the resistive transfer impedance 2l be R12X2.

Let the potential across the resistor 5 in the X1 circuit due to the tube 6, the P1 impedance 25, the tube 23, the capacitive and resistive transfer impedances 20 and 2i, `and the resistive transfer impedance I1 be and let the potential across the'resistor I2 due to the tube I3, the impedances 24 and 25, the tube 23, and the transfer impedances 20, 2I, and I1 be The equations governing the behavior of 'this electric network, :assuming no external stimulus,

may be obtained lby equating separately the total potential drop in the X1 circuit and the total potential drop int-he X2 circlut to zero. Thus the following :equations `are obtained:

The Equations 3 and 4 are identical with the flutter Equations 1 and 2 if the yelectric circuit elements are adjusted so that:

= Aikian Referring now to Fig. 3, an embodhnent of this invention is 'illustrated which is of the donn of the block diagram of Fig. 2 and hence will serve to predict fleXure-.torsion flutter phenomenon.

Two electric circuits are illustrated, the -rst comprising in series a grid battery a fixed resistor |02, a potentiometer |03 having an adjustable tap |04, a, xed inductance |05, a variable resistor |06, a variable condenser |01, and the series combination of an lanode load resistor |08 and an anode supply Ibattery |09 in parallel with the anode ||0cathode circuit of a vacuum am-plier tube ||2 containing also a cathode heater ||3 and a control grid ||4, and with the anode ||5cathode 6 circuit of a, vacuum amplifiertube ||\1 containing also a cathode heater ||8 and 'a t0n-trol grid I I9.` The second electric circuit comprises in series combination a grid bias battery |20, a. fixed resistor |2|, a potentiometer |22 having an adjustable tap |23, a variable resistor |24, a fixed inductance |25, a variable condenser |26, and the series combination of an anode load resistor |21 and an anode supply battery |28 in parallel with the anode |29-cathode |30 circuit of a vacuum amplier tube |3| containing also a cathode heater l0 terminal of the battery |28, the cathode |30, .are

connected to :the ground.

The first electric circuit is eiectively inductively coupled to the second `electric circuit by the amplifying 'transfer impedance network comprising the resistors |02 and |03 and the network enclosed by the clashed line |40, con-taining a vacuum amplifying tube |4| comprising a cathode |42 connected to ground, Ia cathode heater |43, a control ygrid |44 connected |between the resistor |03 and the inductance |05, and an anode |45 connected to the series combination ccf lan anode load resistor |46 and an anode supply battery |41 whose negative terminal is grounded, and to a coupling condenser |48 which is connected in tum .to a .grid bias resistor |49 aand to the control -grid |50 of =a vacuum amplifier -tube |5I'. 'Ilhe resistor |49 is connected to the negative terminal of la grid bias battery |52 whose positive terminal iis'grounded. The tube |5| comprises =also a grounded cathode |53, a cathode heater |54, and an :anode |55 which is connected tov the positive terminal of .the battery |41 small fixed condenser |51 connected to one end of la `potentiometer |58 and to a resistor |59 connected to a resistor |60 connected t-o then-egyative terminal of the battery |52. A vacuum amplier tube |6| oom-prises a grounded cathode |62, a cathode heater |63, -a control )grid |64 connected between the resistors |59 and |60, 'and an anode |65 connectedto the positive terminal off the battery |41 through an (anode load resistor |66 and to )a coupling condenser |61 which is connected through a resistor |68 to a resistor |69 connected to the negative terminal of the battery |52. The other end of the potentiometer |58 is connected between resistors 68 and |69, and the adjustable tap |10 of the potentiometer |58 is connected tothe control grid |1| of a, vacuum amplifying tube |12 Iwhich comprises also a grounded cathode |13, la cathode heater |14, and an anode |15 which 'is connected to the anode v| 29 oithetube |3|. I

The adjustable tap |23 is connected tothe control Igrid |16 yof avacuum amplifier tube |11, Whose anode |18 is connected through a load resistor |19 to an anode supply battery |80. 'llhe potential drop across the load resistor |19 is coupled through a 4large condenser |8| to -alarge resistor |82, which is in series `with the resistor |83, the condenser |84, the resistor |85, the grid bias battery |86, :and ground. VOne side of a large denser |84 is added toanother potential, to bei describedl laten. and,` impressed .on [the:y .control .ThecontrolV grid I 90.of avacuumampliertube I9 isconnectedto a point .between the-elements I 3and` fI 84 through a large.resistor.|92, and to the adjustable potentiometer .tap |04 :through a large resistorl93. Theanode I94,of-.the,tube .I9I is connectedvthrough azload resistor-|95 to an anode .-supplybattery I 953yr andeis-.coupled through azcondenser |91 to a gridpotentiometer |98 whose lower end'is .connectedto a bias battery |99 and whose adjustable tap 200isconnected to the control grid 20|' of a high anode 'resistance vacuum 202` preferably ofl the pentode type, with a grounded cathode 203 andsuppressor 204, and a screen grid 205, connectedto ascreensupply battery'206. The anode 201 is-connected t-o the supply battery 208 .through an impedancel network shown enclosed by the broken line 209, and comprising a resistor 2I0 in series with the two parallelcombinations of a resistor 2| I vand condenser 2 |2-,and of a resistor 2 I3 and :condenser 2|4. The potential at the anode 201, which is-substantially proportionalito the product of 4the potential of thef`control grid 20| and-the impedance v209 is.

coupledthrough a condenser y2|5 to, a high resistancewpotentiometer ZIB connectedto the bias battery |20. Thejpotentiometer tap2|1 is connected tothe control grid' |33.

Aportion of thepotential dropacrossfthe elements 2| I', 2I2, 2-I3,'and 2| 4 is added by means of a coupling condenser ZIBandthelarge resistor |89 toanother potential, as described before, and impressed on the control-grid II4.

'Ehe anode I 18 potential is also coupled through a condenser 2I9 of Very small capacity to a resistor 220 yconnected to the bias battery |99 and having a'tap 22| connected to the control grid 222 of .a vacuum tube 223 whoseanode is connected through a load resistor 224 to a supplybattery 225 and coupledthrough a condenser 4226 to one end of a potentiometer 221 whose other end is connected to a point between the .resistor 220 and the lcondenser 2|9l The adjustable tap 228 4of the'potentiometer 221 is connected'lto: the control igrid II9 .of the vacuum tube `I I1.

Referring now to both Fig. 2 andv Fig. 3, the transfer impedance network I5 corresponds to the network enclosed by the das-hed lineI 40. The inductive character -of-,this network is dueto the small condenser |51 whose impedance inthe operating frequency range is very large compared with the impedanceof :the resistors |56, |59, .and |60. The current through the condenser |51 and hencevthe` output voltage of the coupling circuit is approximately proportionaltothe'derivative of the'currentXi.

Similarly the network I 9 corresponds to the coupling-circuit made up of the `elements |11 and 2I9 to 228, in which the-inductive factor is due to the `small condenser 2 I9. The tube |I1 in Fig. 3 corresponds to the-.tube 1 in Fig. 2. The networks -20 and 2| correspond to the coupling circuit made up ofthe elements |116 to |8|5,:inv which the large -condenser |84 serves v,f or ythe capacitive component of transferimpedance. The network I1 `corresponds to the voltage divider comprising thezresistors |92 and |93.

The elements |90, I9|, and |94 to 201'comprise the amplifierl representediby the amplifier tube 23. The elements enclosed bythe dashed line209 make up the impedances represented by.-2,4 and 25.

The various elements ofathecircuitcf Fig. 3 have the following values:

. Resistors |02-LL374'ohms I03-'400 ohms IBG- 6,000 ohms IGS-3,800 ohms- I2I-1,486 ohms |22-400 ohms |24-20,000 ohms |21-5,060y ohms IAB-100,000 ohms |'49-500,000 ohms IE6-60,000 ohms IBB-500,000 ohms |59--20,000 ohms ISU-4,000 ohms IE6-60,000 ohms IGS-1,000,000 ohms I (iS-100,000 ohms I19-100,000 ohms Condensers ini- 1 mrd. (maar iai-0.5mm. |2s-1 mid. (max.) 2x2-.2775 mrd.

|05-20 hy. (2600 ohms) |25-5.2 hy. (1240 ohms) Vacuum tubes As a result of this congruity between the diagrams of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, Equations 3 and 4 also define the behavior of the circuits of Fig; 3.

'The currents in these circuits then satisfy the utter Equations 1 and 2 if the circuit elements are adjusted in accordance with the relations 5 and 18 inclusive.

In order to solve a practical problem by means of the circuit of Fig. 3, it is rst necessary to know the parameters of the `wing to be investigated. These parameters are c, n, e, an, i112, we and wh as dened in the first part of the specification. Knowing these values, vthe values of A11, A12, Azz and 1; may be computed from relations given in the first part of the specication. It is convenient to have L11, L22 and the capacity coupling C12 xed constant. Suitable values of Ln and L22 have 'been found to be about 20 henrys and"5.2 henrys respectively. It is also necessary to select the arbitrary constants wo, AiKi, AzKz and AiKz. Convenient values for these constants have been found to be:

w0=200490ragians per second 9 elements in the circuit of Fig. 3 andthe terms in Equations 3 and 4 that they adjust are as fol.-

lows:

Element in Fig. 3 Adjusts in Equations 3 and 4 103 yRulP 216- P term 122 Ratio ofltermsin f 1 Y I IC 02-P-I-:fd4l2)XH-RulXl) (Constant) 188 Q12 (Constant) 198 L P terni (Constant) l Any suitable-method of measuring these values may be employed.

,. i 2 The procedure to be followed in using the ciro cuit of Fig. 3 is to first adjust the circuit elements in accordance with the wing parameters, as eX- plained above, and then t-o vary C11 and4 C22, while maintaining the proper ratio of C11 to C22, until` oscillations are noted in the electric circuit, using an oscilloscope. The .value of C11 or C22 for which oscillations occur substituted in Equation 7 or Equation 10 allows either of these equations to be solved for the critical speed.`

e 30 The transient response of an airplane wing to a gust or other perturbation at any desired speed may be observed by setting C11 and C22 to the values corresponding to the desired speed, introducing an electrical perturbation into either the X1 or X2 circuits and noting the behavior of the currents in these circuits. If the perturbation causes sustained oscillationsto occur in the electric circuits, it indicates :that sustained vibration or flutter of the wing would occur following a sudden disturbance at that speed.y If the oscillations caused in the electric circuit. are damped and die out, it indicates that the vibration of the wing would be similarly damped andno sustained flutter would occur at that speed. The perturbation may be introduced into the network in any one of a number of ways; for example, a voltage introduced into the X1 circuit is equivalent to a bending force on the wing, if X1 and X2 are considered the velocity of translation andV thevelocity of rotation, respectively. 1 1

A typical gust consisting of a suddenly applied velocity of translation would `be represented by a suddenly applied current in the X1 circuit. This may be accomplished by means of an external Vbattery 230 anda switch 23| connected to pass a current through the inductance 105. When the switch is opened, the current is applied to the X1 circuit and maintained momentarily by the energy stored in the magnetic field .of the inductance. In a similar manner a battery 232 and a switch 233 may be connected across the inductor |25 so as to enable a perturbation to. be introduced in the Xz'circuit, thereby indicating a sudden torsional deflection of the wing. Thus-one point of novelty is the ability of the device to indicate the response of any of the de'- grees of freedom of the system to a givenv disturbance.

Another novel feature of the invention is the fact that it is capable of calculating thebehavior of a mechanical system containing a fluid continuum and that it takes into account the cumulative effect of shed vorticity in the fluid. The

coefficient is `a complex function of the fre-i quency of oscillation of the wing which represents essentially the effect of the vorticity wake shed bythe oscillating wing. In other words, the present apparatus solves a system which is governed by integral-differential equations rather than by differential equations as may be seen from Equations 3 ande. This effect is included in the coefficient IJ, which depends on the frequency througha transcendental function. 1

As heretofore mentioned, the apparatus shown and describedin connection with Figure 3 of the drawings is intended for use in the prediction of fiexure-torsion iiutter phenomena. In the event that it is found desirable to construct a machine capable of dealing with more degrees of freedom than these two, it is possible to extend the invention to take'care of as many .degrees of freedom as may bev found necessary or desirable, The basic arrangement comprises` an electric circuit for each degree of .freedom of the mechanical system, and transfer impedance means'for coupling each circuit to each of the other circuits. These electrical couplings represent the mechanical couplings existing between the various degrecs of freedom of the mechanical system. The character of the impedances inthe circuits and the character of the transfer impedances are determined by the inertia, stiffness and damping present in the various parts of the mechanical system that are free to move, and by the character of the mechanical couplings existing between these parts. The circuit impedances and the transfer impedance areso selected for a given problemthat the equations defining the currents in the various circuits are identical in form to the equations defining thedisplacements with respect to each degree of freedom in the mechanical system to be represented. The general scheme for extending the principle of thepresent invention to cover n `degrees `of freedom (n being any finite number) is shown in the block diagram of Fig. 4. As herein shown, there are as many horizontal rows and vertical columns of blocks as `there are degrees of freedom. Each horizontal row consists of an inductor connected in series with a condenser so as to form afseriesresonant tank circuit (such as A11, A22, A33 and so on to Ann) and n-l transfer impedance networks `(such as A12, A13, and so on to Ain). In each-case the first subindex of the letter `A refers to the row in which the voltage drop occurs while the second subindex of the letter refers to the row whose tank circuit current causes the Voltage drop;I For the sake of convenience, each of the tank circuits, such as`A11, A22, etc.,`have been cross-hatched so as to clearly distinguish them from the transfer impedance networks such Vas A12, A13, A21, etc. A voltage drop is'developed in each of the tank circuits either `by means of a suitable impedance element inserted therein or else by means of a transformer having a primary winding connected in series with the tank circuit and a' plurality ofsecondary. windings for applying a voltage drop to the impedance networks, This voltage drop, which is proportional to the current flowing in the tank circuit, is applied to each of the impedance networks whose second subindex corresponds'with the subindex of the tank circuit. These networks cause voltage'drops in a common circuit carrying the row current either by means of resistors, condensers and conductors or else bylmeanseof vacuum tube amplifiers whose plates are in parallel acrossa common resistance. Mostof the 11 voltages are obtainedby means of the! vacuum tube amplifier method since-the transfer. .impedances are notsymmetr-ical, negative resistanc'es mus-tbe obtained,` and it vis-necessary'to provide fine adjustments for the majorityA of. im-

pedances.4 The voltage drops thus `obtained yare proportional to the aerodynamic andmechanical forces-.and moments. acting upononedegree .of freedom of an aircraitstructure in fiight..

The aerodynamic vterms are obtained by means `plingvvith each roW circuit `is used to y.develop the voltages on the remaininggrids. The grid .Voltages in An areproportional to. the-current in the flrstwrovvlwhile the grid .voltagesin Ann-Ain are proportional to the currentsfloW-ing inthe tank circuits Aar-Afm, respectively.. .l

The impedanoes. representingv the .mechanical terms are. as.follows:.

Mechanical Electrical Inertia V Self Inductance-Transformer coupled ampliiie'r'fe'd' back into' row fromwhicli the primary current is obtained.. Damping Resistance for positive damping; positive 'feedback 'amplifiers for negative damping. Stiiness- Condensers....

Transformer Coupled amplifiers fed back into a 'diiierent row circuit from that in which the primary forms part of the circuit.

Dynamic Coupling..

Suitable switches and a bridsecreut ,may be provided to adiusttneimcedances obtained from thewaouumtube circuits as well as ,theyalues lof the, positive resistances. This system provides an `accurate means of adjusting` theQarameters Since longftime changes in the tube character,- istics donot affect the values of the impedances determined by the bridsefzmethod. Means may be `provided to-observethe rovvgcureA rentson the screenof a cathode rayoscilloscope and also to excite` each,-ro;w by a simple harmonic voltage. or a square Wave` transient. Thecathode rayvtube may thus be used to observel thepoint of instability land the response of Vthesystemto simple harmonic ,or transient'voltages. These electricalphenomena correspond to the `-utter speed and to the response of the laircraft structure to forced vibrations or transient excitations simulating air gusts.

Having thus described our inventionfwhatwe claim as. new and desire to secureby Letters vPatent is:

1. Electrical means for vpredicting the behavior of4 a fluid-mechanical system capable ofexhibiting the phenomenon of, flutter, said means4 comprising an electric circuit for each degree iof freedom of the mechanical system, a plurality of nonsymmetrical coupling mpedances interconnecting said circuits, the characterof the impedances of saidcircuits and the character of vsaidcoupling impedances being such "that the .equations-de flning the currentsV insaid electriclcircuitsare identical. in form to kthe eduationsedefiningthe displacements with respect, to veach .degree of freedom inthe mechanicalsystem.

2. Apparatus-as claimed .in .gclaimd in which means` are Vprovided `for introducing.` anY electrical.

perturbation .into any of .saidcircuits-'andzin which means are also providedzto indicate the*` presence of oscillations in said circuits.

3. Electrical means for predicting the critical air speed for an airfoil subject to fiexure-torsion binary flutter, said means comprising a first and a second electric circuit each containinginductive, capacitive and resistive elements, a plurality of transfer impedances interconnecting said circuits, a complex impedance representing-the complex lift factor of the airfoil, meansrinclud.- ing said complex impedance for producing a voltage in each of said circuitsiproportional to the current in said circuit and a voltage proportional to the current in the other circuit, the char-A acter of said complex impedance and the character of said transfer impedances .being such that the equations defining the currents in said circuits are. identical in form to the .equations .dening the ilexure and torsion.:disp1acementsLof the airfoil.A

4. Apparatusv as claimed` in. claim- 3in :which the terms containing expressionsfor saidlcapacitiveelements in the equations dening.said.cur.. rents .correspond tothe terms containing expres.- sions for air. speed in the equations deiining said displacements, and in which meansare provided for varying said capacitive4 elements .to Vsimulate a variation in air speed.

5. Apparatus as claimedinA claim 41 inl .which means are provided for'introducing lan: electrical perturbation into either of saidcircuitsandin which means are also provided to. indicate'the presence. of oscillations in saidcircuitsr 6. Electrical means .for predicting the critical air speed for an airfoil subjectto flexure-torsion binary utter, said means r.cornprisinga first and a second electric circuit, each offsaid circuits .conf taining inductive, capacitive andfresistiveele ments, a first inductive transfer. reactance, .means producinga voltage. in said first circuit. proportional .to. the .product of saidfirst inductive. reactance. and thecurrent in said .second circuit, a .first transfer resistance, means producing. a voltage in said iirst circuit .proportionalto the product of said rst transfer resistance. andthe current. in said second circuit, a capacitive-.transe fer reactance, means producing a voltageinl said first circuit proportional to the productcof.- the current in saidsecondcircuitV and said,v capacitive transfer reactance, a complex impedance representing approximately the complex liftffactorvof thenairfoil, means producingy a v.voltage in '.said first circuit proportional to .the Nproduct :ofnthe current :infsaid second circuit,.;said: capacitive transfers reactance and. ysaid `complex :impedance minus one-half, .a .second transfer. zresistance; means producing a voltage in' saidzlrst circuit proportionalto the product-ofthecurrent inf. said second. circuit, .said :second transfer.. resistance and said complex-impedance minus one-haii.' means producing -a voltage inVv said -rstf' circuit proportional to the'product ofthe current infsaid iirst circuit and saidl complex'impedanceminus one-habia second inductive transferreactance; means producing a voltage in said'second circuit proportional to the product` of said secondinduzs` tive transfer reactance and the currentin, said first circuit, means producing a .vo1tage,in said second circuit proportional to the product .of r.the current in said second circuitpsaidcapacitive transfer, reactance andy said complex impedance,v means4 producing a voltagezin saidgsecondcircuit proportional to the product ofthe currentdnsaid second circuit, said second transfer resistance and said complex impedance, and means for producing a voltage in said second circuit proportional to the product of the current in said first circuit and said complex impedance.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the capacitive elements in said two circuits are variable and in which means for introducing an electric perturbation into said circuits and means for indicating the presence of oscillations in said circuits are provided.

MAURICE A. BIOT. THOMAS H. WIANCKO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

14 UNITED STATES IfATENTs Number Name Date 2,067,443 Gewertz Jan. 12, 1937 2,244,369 Martin June 3, 1941 2,277,285 Woodling Mar. 24, 1942 2,319,106 Blackburn May 11, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 389,524 Great Britain Mar. 20, 1933 OTHER REFERENCES A Graphical Solution of` Flutter Instability, by W. B. Bergen and Lee Arnold. A 30 page abstract furnished by the Glenn L. Martin Co. and a copy of same is available in Div. 22, class 244/75.6. 

